The Big Showdown: New Hope vs. Riverdale Baptist

What could be better than a Thanksgiving weekend matchup in the DMV featuring two of the country's top teams? Not much that I can think of. New Hope came into the game ranked number 1 in the country while Riverdale Baptist carried a number 7 ranking into the fray. Number 9 Bishop McNamara was the host of the event which was billed as the Cobra United Tip Off Classic. The first part of this game resembled a championship boxing match with both teams feeling each other out, throwing jabs and an occasional power punch. Both teams eventually settled in and the first quarter ended with Riverdale holding a 16-12 lead.  The Crusaders turned up the heat defensively in the second and extended their lead to 29-17 at the half. Rutgers recruit Elizabeth Martino made some big shots that ignited her team and the crowd. New Hope came out with a furious rally to start the third and completely changed the game by outscoring Riverdale 11-1 in the quarter. With their cut down to 30-28 after 3, The Crusaders answered with their own 8-2 run and set up a dynamite fourth quarter. New Hope slowly chipped away at Riverdale's lead thanks to Jada Walker's scoring and a couple of timely threes by<strong> Delicia Pinnick</strong>. This one ended up going to overtime on a lay up at the buzzer by New Hope's Maria Gakdeng. Overtime belonged to Boston College recruit <strong>Kaylah Ivey</strong> as she sank four clutch free throws to ice it for the Crusaders, 50-49. Here are thoughts on this clash... <em><strong>I Hope We Get To See It Again</strong></em> This was like watching a college game with all the talent on both teams. It would be awesome to them go at it again for the National Championship in April. The DMV wins either way. <em><strong>Kaylah Ivey Is Clutch</strong></em> She led Riverdale with 17 points and came up huge in the 4th and overtime. She made big baskets every time they needed to stop a run and iced the game with four clutch free throws. <strong><em>The Battle of Bigs Was Epic</em></strong> Riverdale's 6'3" <strong> Kayla Thomas</strong> and New Hope's 6'3"  <strong>Maria Gadkeng</strong> waged their own battle within this war and it was fun to watch. Both took turns patrolling the paint and altering shots for their teams. Every player on the floor felt their presence at all times. Both players came up with clutch plays as the teams battled back and forth down the stretch. <em><strong>Jada Walker Was Sensational</strong></em> We knew coming into the game that New Hope's 2021 point guard Jada Walker was one of the best players in the country. She lived up to the hype and then some in this match up. Jada is a very confident and assertive floor general that can take over games by herself. She led her team with 17 points and kept them in the game the entire time, even when Riverdale went on their big run. <strong><em>Delicia Pinnick Must Be Accounted For At All TImes</em></strong> Delicia finished this game with 11 points which is not spectacular by any means. But as one of the top long range shooters in the country,  her presence on the court kept Riverdale Baptist defenders on alert because if she gets hot she can change the game. She made two big three pointers late that swung the momentum to New Hope and helped them rally, even though the defense was locked in on her.